Is the 2003 Subaru Impreza reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Subaru Impreza is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Subaru Impreza?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Subaru Impreza have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

2003 Subaru Impreza

● Typical for this model

2003 Subaru Impreza
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:44:57.134Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 62
Recalls: 6
Investigations: 5
Top problem: Service brakes

Complaints per year

2003: 62 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1990	1
1993	33
1994	8
1995	46
1996	20
1997	30
1998	30
1999	22
2000	41
2001	11
2002	292
2003	62
2004	96
2005	75
2006	56
2007	68
2008	176
2009	103
2010	46
2011	58
2012	243
2013	251
2014	108
2015	77
2016	75
2017	125
2018	152
2019	193
2020	85
2021	14
2022	14
2023	4
2024	30
2025	5
2026	1

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

23% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Fuel system, gasoline

21% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.

FIREINJURY

Fuel/propulsion system

19% · 12 reports

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Subaru Impreza. The contact smelled fuel inside and outside the engine bay. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V468000 (Fuel system, gasoline).

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-02-20

Air bags

6% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Takata air bag did not deploy. Side impact sensor did not work. The car traveled sideways into a large oak tree in excess of 35 MPH . The point of impact was where the side impact sensor was located . None of the airbags deployed .

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-10-13

Car was involved in a head on crash at about 45 MPH into a fire hydrant in the city of bell. None of the airbags expanded at the time of the crash. Safety issue.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-31

Engine and engine cooling

6% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing engine.

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

R

2003-01-08Power train02V282000 Certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions were produced with an improperly manufactured transmission parking rod. When the transmission selector lever is…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission parking rod assembly. Owner notification January 8, 2003. An interim owner notification will be sent during November 2002. Owners who take their…

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2004-01-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-05-27 Fuel line leakage in engine compartment
R

2004-04-12Vehicle speed control04V128000 On certain passenger sedans, wagons, and sport utility vehicles, the cruise control cable could come out of its track on the cruise control lever and lodge on the control lever tab when the…

Remedy: Dealers will install a cruise control cable retaining clip to the cruise control lever tab on the throttle shaft in order to prevent the cruise control cable from coming out of its track. Owner…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2004-08-20Seats04V342000 On certain sedan and wagon model vehicles, the left front bolt that retains the forward part of the driver's seat to the seat slide rail may loosen. If the seat slide rail bolt loosens, it will…

Remedy: Dealers will install a new left hand driver's seat rail mounting bolt. The recall began on August 20, 2004. Owners should contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2008-06-02Latches/locks/linkages08V135000 Subaru is recalling 36,791 my 2002-2003 Impreza wagons. The stud bolt(S) of rear gate stay may have been tightened with insufficient tightening torque and a gap may have resulted between the rear…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect to see if there is any gap at the stud bolt of the rear gate stay installation. If a gap is found, the stud bolt will be removed to check for damage to the welding nut. If the…

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2009-03-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-07-02 Fuel line leak
I
2009-07-02Engineering analysisClosed 2009-12-14 Fuel line leak
R

2009-12-31Fuel system, gasoline09V468000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 Impreza WRX vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of South Dakota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Idaho, Iowa…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel line free of charge. The recall began on December 31, 2009. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2011-04-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-09-23 Front suspension control arm failure
R

2011-12-31Suspension11V464000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Impreza, model year 2003-2008 Forester, and model year 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles manufactured from September 5, 2000 through November 26, 2007…

Remedy: Subaru will handle their vehicles and Saab will handle theirs. Dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them. This service…

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Subaru Impreza — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Service brakes: 14 reports on file for this year.
Fuel system, gasoline: 13 reports on file for this year.
Fuel/propulsion system: 12 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 02V282000 · Power train
Recall 04V128000 · Vehicle speed control
Recall 04V342000 · Seats
Recall 08V135000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Recall 09V468000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 11V464000 · Suspension

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Subaru Impreza reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Subaru Impreza is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Subaru Impreza?: The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Subaru Impreza have?: 6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.